Navarro, the Rattlers slam South Bend
August 3, 2005 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers News Release
FOX CITIES STADIUM -- Oswaldo Navarro hit a grand slam home run to cap a seven run sixth inning for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers and lead the way to a 12-9 win over the South Bend Silver Hawks Wednesday night. The top two offensive teams in the Midwest League did not disappoint. The Rattlers had fifteen hits led by three by both Chris Colton and Yung Chi Chen. South Bend had fourteen hits, including four by Cesar Nicolas, who was missing only a double for the cycle.
Wisconsin (62-48 overall, 23-17 second half) scored an unearned run in the bottom of the first inning for the early lead.
Nicolas tied the game with a leadoff home run in the top of the second.
Back-to-back two-out, RBI singles by Colton and Chen in the second inning gave the Rattlers a 3-1 lead. In the third, an RBI single by Omar Falcon and a bases loaded walk to Colton put the Rattlers up 5-1.
South Bend (63-46, 22-18) cut into the lead with a pair of runs in the top of the fourth. Rattler starter Ivan Blanco walked Agustin Murillo to start the frame. Carlos Gonzales doubled down the right field line and Murillo wound up scoring on an error. Nicolas tripled high off the wall in center and the Hawks were within 5-3. But, Blanco got out of the inning with no further damage.
The Hawks got closer in the top of the fifth inning on an RBI single by Alberto Gonzalez. South Bend had runners at first and third with one out and Carlos Gonzales at the plate. Blanco ran the count to 3-2 before getting an inning ending 4-6-3 double play to keep Wisconsin in front.
But, Blanco couldn't hold off the Silver Hawks in the sixth. A single, wild pitch, and error on a sacrifice bunt put runners at first and third with no outs. Jereme Milons hit a sacrifice fly to right to tie the game 5-5. Later in the inning, Emilio Bonafacio and Gonzalez had back-to-back two-out RBI singles off reliever Adam Brandt for a 7-5 South Bend advantage.
Then, Wisconsin rallied in the bottom of the seventh to retake the lead for good. The first three batters reached against Silver Hawk starter Ross Ohlendorf. Mark Rosen came out of the bullpen and Marshall Hubbard sent his first pitch to right for a two-run single to tie the game 7-7. A wild pitch by Rosen allowed the Rattlers to score the go ahead run.
Ryan Coffin entered the game as the third South Bend pitcher of the inning with two outs, a runner at third, and the Rattlers still leading by a score of 8-7. Coffin walked the first two batters he faced to load the bases. He fell behind Navarro 2-0. Navarro got just enough of the next pitch to left it over the left field wall for the first Rattler grand slam since August 3, 2004.
South Bend got a pair of runs against Brandt in the top of the seventh. A wind blown RBI single by Nicolas plated the first. Wilkin Castillo grounded into a double play that allowed the Silver Hawks to score one more run and get to within 12-9. But, that was as close as they would get.
Jason Snyder, making his first appearance since July 6, relieved Brandt and pitched a scoreless eighth. Eric O'Flaherty earned his ninth save of the season with a scoreless ninth.
Game three of the series is Thursday night. Mark Lowe (6-4, 5.40ERA) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Rattlers. South Bend plans on Steven Jackson (7-4, 5.40) being their starter. Game time is 7:05pm.
Midwest League Stories from August 3, 2005
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